Topic 6 Forensics And immunity Flashcards
What role do microorganisms play in the decomposition of organic matter?
Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, decompose dead organic matter into small molecules that they can respire.
This process is essential for recycling carbon back into the atmosphere.
What gases are released when microorganisms respire small molecules during decomposition?
Methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)
These gases are part of the carbon cycle.
What is the significance of determining the time of death (TOD) in forensics?
Establishing the TOD can provide information about the circumstances of death and who was present.
It can help police and forensic scientists in their investigations.
What is algor mortis?
The process by which a dead body’s temperature falls until it equals the temperature of its surroundings.
This occurs after death as metabolic reactions slow down.
At what rate does a human body typically cool after death?
Around 1.5 °C to 2.0 °C per hour.
This cooling rate can be affected by environmental factors.
What is rigor mortis?
The stiffening of muscles that occurs approximately 4-6 hours after death.
It begins when muscle cells are deprived of oxygen.
What causes rigor mortis?
The lack of ATP due to anaerobic respiration leads to the fixation of myosin and actin bonds in muscle cells.
This results in muscle stiffness.
How does temperature affect rigor mortis?
Rigor mortis occurs more quickly at higher temperatures because chemical reactions in the body are faster.
This can influence the timing of death estimations.
What is forensic entomology?
The study of insects that colonize a dead body to estimate the time of death.
It often involves identifying the types of insects present.
How can the time of death be estimated using insect life cycles?
By identifying the type of insect and the stage of its life cycle.
For example, blowfly larvae hatch from eggs about 24 hours after being laid.
What factors can affect the life cycle of insects on a decomposing body?
Drugs, humidity, oxygen, and temperature.
Higher temperatures can speed up metabolic rates and shorten life cycles.
What is the extent of decomposition in the first few days after death?
Cells and tissues are being broken down by bacteria and enzymes.
This process begins immediately after death.
What happens to the body after a few weeks of decomposition?
Tissues begin to liquefy and seep out into the area around the body.
This is part of the natural decomposition process.
What is the final stage of decomposition?
Only a skeleton remains after a few months to a few years.
Eventually, the skeleton disintegrates over decades to centuries.
What is succession in the context of a dead body?
The changing types of organisms found on a dead body over time.
This process helps forensic scientists estimate the time of death.
What conditions favor the initial colonization of a dead body?
Immediately after death, conditions are most favorable for bacteria.
This is followed by flies and their larvae.
Fill in the blank: The body begins to bloat due to gases produced during decomposition, such as ______.
[methane]
This bloating is a sign of microbial activity.
True or False: The stage of succession on a dead body is affected by its location.
True
For example, a body sealed away will not be colonized by insects.
What is a DNA profile?
A fingerprint of an organism’s DNA
Everyone’s DNA is unique except for identical twins.
What are the four bases that make up nucleotides in DNA?
- A
- T
- C
- G
These bases pair as A with T and C with G.
What is the purpose of DNA profiling?
To identify people and determine genetic relationships
This includes relationships between humans, animals, and plants.
What is the first step in creating a DNA profile?
A DNA sample is obtained from the organism
This can be collected from bodily fluids or tissues.
What process is used to amplify DNA for profiling?
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
PCR involves multiple stages to create many copies of DNA.
What components are included in a PCR reaction mixture?
- DNA sample
- Free nucleotides
- Primers
- DNA polymerase
Primers are short DNA sequences that initiate replication.
At what temperature does the DNA mixture need to be heated to break hydrogen bonds?
95 °C
This step denatures the DNA strands.
What is the purpose of cooling the mixture to between 50 and 65 °C during PCR?
To allow primers to bind (anneal) to the strands
This is essential for the subsequent DNA synthesis.
What temperature is used for DNA polymerase to synthesize new strands?
72 °C
This temperature is optimal for the enzyme’s activity.
How does the amount of DNA change with each PCR cycle?
It doubles each cycle
E.g., 1st cycle = 2 fragments, 2nd cycle = 4 fragments, etc.
What is the purpose of adding a fluorescent tag to DNA?
To visualize the DNA fragments under UV light
This helps in identifying and comparing DNA profiles.
How does gel electrophoresis separate DNA fragments?
By length
DNA moves towards the anode due to its negative charge.
What happens to shorter DNA fragments during gel electrophoresis?
They move faster and travel further
This results in separation according to length.
What do DNA profiles look like when viewed under UV light?
They appear as bands
The pattern of bands can be compared between profiles.
What is one application of DNA profiling in forensic science?
To link suspects to crime scenes
DNA from crime scene samples is compared to suspects’ DNA.
What is the first step a forensic scientist takes when collecting DNA from a crime scene?
Isolate DNA from collected samples
This includes samples from blood, semen, skin cells, etc.
What is the final step in comparing DNA profiles in forensic science?
Compare the PCR products on an electrophoresis gel
Matching profiles indicate a link to the crime scene.
What do we inherit from our parents in terms of DNA?
Roughly half comes from each parent.
What does it indicate if more bands on DNA profiles match?
The more closely-related (genetically similar) those two people are.
How can DNA profiling determine the biological father of a child?
By comparing DNA profiles; lots of matching bands suggest the individual is the child’s father.
What is one application of DNA profiling in animals and plants?
To prevent inbreeding, which causes health, productivity, and reproductive problems.
What is inbreeding and why is it problematic?
Inbreeding decreases the gene pool, leading to an increased risk of genetic disorders.
What is the relationship between DNA profile similarity and relatedness?
The more closely-related two individuals are, the more similar their DNA profiles will be.
What is the first step in carrying out gel electrophoresis?
Add a gel tray to a gel box (or tank).
What type of gel is commonly used for electrophoresis?
Agarose gel.
How are wells created in the gel for electrophoresis?
A row of wells is created at one end of the gel.
What is the purpose of the buffer solution in gel electrophoresis?
To cover the surface of the gel and facilitate the movement of DNA fragments.
What is the role of loading dye in DNA sample preparation?
It helps the samples to sink to the bottom of the wells and makes them easier to see.
How should DNA samples be added to the gel wells?
Using a micropipette, ensuring the tip is just above the opening of the well.
What happens when the power supply is turned on during electrophoresis?
An electrical current is passed through the gel, causing DNA fragments to separate according to length.
How long should the gel run during electrophoresis?
For about 30 minutes or until the dye is about 2 cm from the end of the gel.
What is the purpose of staining the DNA fragments after electrophoresis?
To make the bands of different DNA fragments visible.
How is the length of a DNA fragment measured?
In bases, e.g., ATCC = 4 bases or base pairs.
What does PCR stand for?
Polymerase Chain Reaction.
True or False: Identical twins have the same DNA profile.
True.
Briefly describe the procedure to separate DNA fragments by electrophoresis.
Prepare agarose gel, load DNA samples into wells, apply electric current, and visualize the results.
What is the significance of DNA profiling in forensic science?
It can provide conclusive proof of identity in criminal investigations.
Fill in the blank: The length of 1000 bases is referred to as _____ .
one kilobase (1 kb).
What type of cells are bacteria?
Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic organisms
Prokaryotic means they have no nucleus.
What is the size of most bacteria?
Most bacteria are only a few micrometers (um) long, e.g. the TB bacterium is about 1 um.
What are the main components of bacterial cells?
Bacterial cells have:
* Plasma membrane
* Cytoplasm
* Ribosomes
* Cell wall
* Flagella
* Pili
* Capsule
* DNA (bacterial chromosome and plasmids)
What is the function of the flagellum in bacteria?
The flagellum is a long, hair-like structure that rotates to make the bacterium move.
What is the primary function of ribosomes in bacteria?
Ribosomes produce proteins from mRNA.
What is murein?
Murein is a component of the bacterial cell wall.
What are pili in bacteria used for?
Pili help bacteria stick to other cells and can be used in gene transfer.
What is the purpose of a bacterial capsule?
The capsule helps to protect the bacterium from attack by cells of the immune system.
How is bacterial DNA structured?
The DNA of a bacterium floats free in the cytoplasm and is typically in one long, circular, coiled-up strand called a bacterial chromosome.
What are plasmids?
Plasmids are small loops of DNA that aren’t part of the bacterial chromosome.
How do viruses differ from bacteria?
Viruses are not cells; they are nucleic acids surrounded by protein and are smaller than bacteria.
What components do viruses lack that bacteria have?
Viruses lack plasma membranes, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.
What is the function of the capsid in viruses?
The capsid is the protein coat around the core of a virus.
What is an envelope in the context of viruses?
An envelope is an extra outer layer that some viruses have, stolen from the cell membrane of a previous host cell.
What are attachment proteins in viruses used for?
Attachment proteins allow the virus to cling on to a suitable host cell.
Define a pathogen.
A pathogen is any organism that causes disease.